I recently went thru this process when I was re-assmebling my OM616 engine... I agree with Larry the specs refer to the crank pointer.

I have never understood how you can guage the amount of chain stretch by looking at the crank pointer and the assembly mark on the camshaft. Evertime I have checked an OM61X the two marks appear to be in perfect alignment... its only by using the dial guage method that I can tell how much stretch exists.

That said I've never seen an engine with 11 degrees of stretch. The most I've ever seen is 7-8 with 2-3 being more typical.

I guess what I'm trying to say is that I don't think the 'lining up the marks' approach to measuring chain stretch is a reliable way to determine if, or how much a chain is stretched.

Good luck - Tim